nbc news reported president assad is getting chemical weapons ready to use on his people. of course, they've denied it. where do you put the threat level? >> well, i think the threat level is certainly increasing. you know, we obviously don't have access to those intelligence reports. but you've heard lots of signs of alarm from u.s. officials that there are indications of these chemical weapons are being prepared for use. when you combine that with the signs that maybe assad's forces are in a little bit more danger from the rebels than they were before, you might think that perhaps the regime is becoming desperate enough to use these chemical weapons. that said, chris, i do think it would be near suicidal for the regime to do so. so far the international community has stayed out. i don't think the united states wants to get involved. but this sort of step could almost force the united states to get involved as we've already seen from the president and secretary of state's words. >> speaking of the secretary of state, apparently she's got a stomach virus. and it's forcing